Preventive Services Offered by Medicare

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screenings

A one-time screening ultrasound for people at risk.

Alcohol Misuse Counseling

Medicare covers one alcohol misuse screening per year. Counseling may be covered if your screening result is positive.

Bone Mass Measurements

Helps to see if you are at risk for broken bones. This service is covered once every 24 months (more often if medically necessary) for people who have certain medical conditions or meet certain
criteria.

Cardiovascular Screenings

Helps detect conditions that may lead to a heart attack or stroke. This service is covered every 5 years to test your cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels.

Colon Cancer Screenings (Colorectal)

Medicare covers colorectal screening tests to help find pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon) so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Depression Screenings

Medicare covers depression screenings by your primary care doctor once every 12 months.

Diabetes Screenings

Diabetes screenings are covered if you have any of the following risk factors: high blood pressure (hypertension), history of abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels (dyslipidemia), obesity, or a history of high blood sugar (glucose). Based on the results of these tests, you may be eligible for up to two diabetes screenings every year.

Diabetes Self-Management Training

Your doctor or other health care provider must provide a written order.

Flu Shots

Covered once a flu season in the fall or winter.

Glaucoma Tests

Covered once every 12 months for people at high risk for glaucoma.

Hepatitis B Shots

This is covered for people at high or medium risk for Hepatitis B. Your risk for Hepatitis B increases if you have hemophilia,End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or a condition that increases your risk for infection. Other factors may increase your risk for Hepatitis B, so check with your doctor. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

HIV Screenings

Medicare covers HIV screening for people with Medicare who are pregnant and people at increased risk for the infection, including anyone who asks for the test.

Mammograms

Medicare covers screening mammograms once every 12 months for all women with Medicare age 40 and older. Medicare covers one baseline mammogram for women between ages 35–39.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Services

Medicare may cover medical nutrition therapy and certain related services if you have diabetes or kidney disease, or you have had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months, and your doctor refers you for the service.

Obesity Screening and Counseling

If you have a body mass index of 30 or more, Medicare covers intensive counseling to help you lose weight. This counseling may be covered if you get it in a primary care setting, where it can be coordinated with your comprehensive prevention plan. Talk to your primary care physician or practitioner to find out more.

Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams

Medicare covers these screening tests once every 24 months, or once every 12 months for women at high risk, and for women of child-bearing age who have had an exam that indicated cancer or other abnormalities in the past 3 years.

Preventive Visits

Medicare will cover two types of preventive visits—one when you’re new to Medicare and one each year after that.

Pneumococcal Shots

Most people only need this preventive shot once in their lifetime.

Prostate Cancer Screenings

Medicare covers a digital rectal exam and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test once every 12 months for all men with Medicare over age 50.

Smoking Cessation (counseling to stop smoking)

Medicare covers smoking cessation counseling as a preventive service and you'll pay nothing for the counseling sessions.